JC McCavit

How do I upload video and pictures?

Thomas Gustafson's Waterski Italy is more than just a ski school. Thomas really knows how to take care of you and it doesn't hurt that he speaks about 7 languages fluently. Even if you can't make it to Cervia you need to email or call him, he knows every site in Italy. If time permits, You for sure want to head up to Trentino and ski with Thomas Degasperi's parents on Lake Caldonazzo. You can also drive west and ski Lake Avigliana home to Carlos Allias.

More help please. What is the difference between a world record and a national record? Todd won Nationals with a world record and Greg set the National record by matching the world record. Greg fell at Nationals but skied a record tournament for the National Record...I am so confused, what is going on?

Need help understanding records. Which record is which? I thought Todd Ristorcelli set the record. Who holds the record?

I bet those guys could run pretty deep @ 36mph. Anyone have any idea how deep Andy or Todd can go at 36 mph?

I personally do not think any one person has done more to promote Watersking than Todd. Congratulations Todd! You just proved any person with enough passion can accomplish any goal.

Brand and Model

@Than Bogan - Yea, I knew that. I was just referring to the mens WR. That record has stood a long time. I am just saying there are a lot folks like me who can only get half way through 35 off at 34 mph in a tournment and they should think twice about buying $2000.00 ski, when one half the price may be all they need. If you didn't know it, your writings have been a big inspiration and have help me progress more than any new ski. Thanks

I'm 48 and just figured out you need to work harder than the other guy to get to the level you want to be at.

Dave looks a little like the guy from Saturday Night Live. What was in the brownies at the bakery?

Kelvin makes a good point about ease of driving ZO v.s. PP Z-Box. The argument is only true if you have a new driver that has never driven PP Z-Box. In my opinion, if the driver is familiar with the system then there is no noticeable difference. One could also argue the opposite, if the driver has never driven ZO you may not get a good pull the first set.

Awesome, see thread on RADAR 2013.

I will be riding the bright orange ski as I compete against a good friend on a Nano One next season. This is going to be fun. All the hype on the S2 did not produce tournament results. And what I saw on the guys podium at Malibu was everything but a Nano One...all I can say is, I am willing to wait and see how the love affair with Nano One works out. If a new world record is set, then that says something. Nate Smith will most likely win Nationals on a D3 and if Andy Mapple wins the Big Dawg this weekend, the hype will be back to AM. I think it is really all about the person driving the ski nothing less and nothing more.

Just heard from the source, Sully. New top design creates a much lighter tip. Big time change to layup that changes the rebound of the ski signifcantly. Color is bright orange almost flouresent, bottom is orange too. Must be a new mold because because Chris said it was only available in 66, 67, 68 with the big ski and smaller sizes to follow.

Anyone know if RADAR will have a new ski or modified STRADA for 2013?

@crashman - Good question. Please don't consider me an expert. I am sure there is some weight differnce between the engines. Jody is the one who most likely knows the exact weight difference. I have know idea why the 2001 one put on weight with the same hull shape as the 1997 - 2000.

@tfriess - The big difference is in the weight of the boats. 1997 -2000 the Ski Nautiques specified weight was 2340 lbs. In 2001 the specified weight jumped to 2570 lbs. For me I would choose one between 97 - 2000. If you go to CorrectCraftFan.com under the their reference tab you can look at the brochures for each year of Nautique and see the weight specifications. In 2008 the 196 weight rose to 2610 lbs. If you can find 97-2000 with Perfect Pass StarGaszer you can upgrade to the Z-Box for less than $500.00 and you will have a Slalom boat that is difficult to find fault. One other item to look for is the tunable rudder. This was not stock in 1997 and you would want to upgrade if you want to easily adjust the way the boat tracks.

It's so nice to get behind my Green 97 Masters Edition Nautique after skiing the 2009 197 and the 200. I only ski into 35 off in tournaments and a few at 38 off in practice, but always start at 22 off. I train behind the newer boats to prepare for tournaments, but when I get my 97 off the lift I can't believe how backwards boats have gone when it comes to wakes. I run the Z-Box and ski identical buoy counts and feel no difference behind the boat. I did spend a great deal of time setting the Z-Box up and it is near perfect. The only problem I have when changing boats is reminding myself to prepare for the big wake & rooster behind the newer boats at the longer line lengths. I would say unless you are part of those fortunate and skilled enough to run into 39 in tournaments the ole 97 Nautique is the best boat for money.

Where do I find BallofScores?

Where can you view the results?

You could go looking for some Prop Wash. It is often found behind the boat when it is underway. All joking aside, there must be something we could just spray on our props to bring back their luster. That hardware under the boat can be prettier than jewelery.

Not very often when I have been on a ski for a season. Very often when setting up a new ski.

@MatP I have no right challenging you as I am not an expert either. You are correct about technique. Practice is also very important. This tread really hit home with me because jimbrake put into words the area and actions in the course I am currently struggling with. And yes I adjust my fin to much, but I really have fun trying to get the numbers perfect when I can't be on the water. 95 percent of the time I put the fin back where it was before I started making changes. The reason I am trying 1/1000 adjustments is because I personally feel fin length is the most important fin setting to get right so I don't mind changing it 3 times to get 3/1000 adjustment. I am dreaming about finding that perfect sweet spot that will get me through 35 in a tournament this year. Making adjustments also motivates me to get out on the water and try to make this pass.

@MattP - It looks like you are still trying to get through 32 in a tournament. A few us have been doing that for 25 years or more. I know 1/1000 may be a lot for you at your age. But we are talking 35 off. When you do this for a long time you start listening to guys like "Schnitz" who probably knows "Every time I came through the gates and approached 1 ball at short line lengths (38 and 39 off), I came up narrow. Taking out 8/1000ths tip solved this problem. At Carlos's place outside of Lisbon, I had to 1/1000th more tip and 3.5/1000th less depth"...If you feel your setting are close why the ?...for 1/1000th!

I tried an additional half hole back with both binding and was able to get around 3 but only if I didn't reach, grab, yank and drop shoulder at 2 ball. I may take 1/1000 tip out and try that for fun. I am not using a wing yet. I tried the wing the other day and it felt like and anchor when set at 9 degrees. It is obvious this is more of technique issue, but i think I am very close and like @SkiJay mentions the ski probably needs to be setup for this rope length.